There is absolutley nothing more effective for military morale than simple coercion.

“They said if you refuse to re-enlist with the 3rd Brigade, we’ll send you down to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is going to Iraq for a year, and you can stay with them, or we’ll send you to Korea, or to Fort Riley (in Kansas) where they’re going to Iraq,” said one of the soldiers, a sergeant.

The second soldier, an enlisted man, echoed that view: “They told us if we don’t re-enlist, then we’d have to be reassigned. And where we’re most needed is in units that are going back to Iraq in the next couple of months. So if you think you’re getting out, you’re not.”

I understand perfectly well that when you are in the military, you do what you are told.  I also understand that when given orders to perform an action that plainly violates your self-worth and pride an undeniable dip in morale occurs.  So, is the plan to occupy a foreign land with soldiers that hate their leaders and, in turn, themselves, an exceptional plan to keep the peace?

No.

Source: Rocky Mountain News

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